Trump order pledges that US will defend Qatar in event of attack
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US President Donald Trump has pledged to treat an armed attack on Qatar as a threat to the US’ own security.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
- Trump's order pledges to defend Qatar against attacks, viewing them as threats to US security; Qatar welcomed the move as a milestone.
- The order followed an Israeli strike on Doha, and goes beyond Qatar's "major non-NATO ally" status.
- The US accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar and is preparing it as Air Force One; executive orders can be repealed.
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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump has pledged to treat any armed attack on Qatar as a threat to the US’ own security, according to a document published on Oct 1 that says US forces could step in to defend the Middle Eastern nation.
Qatar on Oct 1 welcomed Mr Trump’s order, describing it as a milestone in strengthening defence ties and bilateral cooperation, its Foreign Ministry said.
The executive order – which appears to significantly deepen the US commitment to Qatar – comes after Israel in September attempted to kill leaders of Hamas with an air strike on Doha.
That strike, launched with little advance notice to the Trump administration, caused consternation in Washington given the close US relationship with Qatar, which hosts the largest US military base in the region.
Pledge to respond
The document was dated Sept 29, the day Mr Trump hosted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House and presented a proposal for ending the war in Gaza. Qatar has been a key mediator between the US and Israel and Hamas over the war.
“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” the order said.
“In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures – including diplomatic, economic and, if necessary, military – to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability.”
The document said top US defence and intelligence officials will maintain contingency planning with Qatar to ensure a rapid response to any attacks.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia has long sought similar guarantees as part of Washington’s efforts to normalise relations between Riyadh and Israel, but such a deal has not materialised. In September, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan.
Qatari jetliner gift
While the President can negotiate collective defence treaties like the one that created Nato, they require Senate confirmation to become law. An executive order can be repealed by any US president in the future, and it is unclear what would compel the US to fulfil the commitment.
Mr Trump’s order goes beyond a 2022 order by his predecessor Joe Biden that designated Qatar as a major non-Nato ally, allowing increased military cooperation but falling short of promising to defend Qatar if attacked.
There was no US military response when Qatar came under attack by Iran in June after a US strike on nuclear facilities in Iran.
The Trump administration in May officially accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jetliner as a gift
Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Doha after the Israeli strike, and said an enhanced defence cooperation agreement was being finalised with Qatar. REUTERS
